DEATH OF MR ALFRED SAUNDERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12640, 30 October 1905, Page 5

DEATH OF MR ALFRED SAUNDERS.

P^r Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, October 29. Mr Alfred Saunders, who had been m failing health for some time, died at four o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Mr Alfred Saiindeirs was born in Lavington, Wiltshire, England, in 1820, and was brought up as a farmer and miller. He arrived in Nelson in 1842 and was closely identified with the Nelson Provincial District for 25 yeairs, was elected a member of the Nelson Provincial Council for Waimea South in 1855, and represented that district continuously, until he became superintendent of the proyinoa. He was re-elected superintendent in 1865, tout resigned in 1867 to. visit England. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Stafford Goyernr ment in 1858. In 1859 he was elected member for Waimea, -and in the year following he was offered anddecjined the position of Colonial Treasurer in the Fox Ministry. He remained in England from 1867 to 1871, when, he settled in Canterbury. He was elected member for Cheviot, being re-elected in 1879. In 1880 he was appointed chairman of the New Zealand Civil Service Commission, whos-9 report led to the removal of the Chief Railway Commissioner in each island, together with a large numbeir of other officials. From 1889 to 1891 he siat ias member for Lincoln, and from 1891 to 1895 for Selwyn, being defeated in 1896. Publications by Mr Saunders include " Our Domestic Birds " in 1883, " Our Horses " in 1885, and " History of New Zealand." Deceased had been prominently connected with educational movements', was frequently elected a governor of Nelson College. Ashburton High School, and a member of the Nelson and North Canterbury Education Boards. He was first married in 1847, and has five sons and three daughters living. His wife died in 1898, and he married again in 1899 while on a visit to England. .Since his return from England a couple of years ago he has been in failing health.